Charter strikes deal to buy Bright House for $10B, Reuters reportsCharter Communications (CHTR) has agreed to buy Bright House Networks, which has about 2.5M cable subscribers, in a deal valued at close to $10B, according to Reuters, citing a source familiar with the matter. The deal is contingent on Comcast's (CMCSA) deal for Time Warner Cable (TWC) being approved by regulators, the report added. Charter shares are up 3.7% to $190.15 in pre-market trading following the report. Reference Link

Comcast presents new arguments in Time Warner Cable merger case, NY Post saysComcast (CMCSA, CMCSK) told regulators this week that its potential merger with Time Warner Cable (TWC) will not substantially affect its national broadband marketshare under recently changed FCC rules, reports the New York Post, citing sources. The move follows a ruling that establishes a heightened minimum download speed to qualify a service as "broadband," which now means that Time Warner Cable does not technically offer broadband in many markets. An antitrust lawyer working against the merger said, "Thatís grasping at straws." Reference Link

AT&T betting on slow decline in traditional cable packages, WSJ saysAT&T (T) knew that demand for cable bundles had likely peaked when it bought DirecTV (DTV), but the company believes the decline in traditional cable businesses will be slower than anticipated, allowing it to fund upgrades to its broadband network, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing statements by Chief Strategy Officer John Stankey. "The world is going to be broadband... and that is where we want to be," said Stankey. The Journal notes that Apple (AAPL), Time Warner's (TWC) HBO, and Dish (DISH) have launched or plan to launch web-TV packages and services. Reference Link

Time Warner Cable expected to write down Dodgers deal by up to $1B, NY Post saysTime Warner Cable (TWC) is expected to write down the value of its LA Dodgers distribution rights by up to $1B, reports the New York Post, citing sources. The writedown may be a requirement before any deal with Comcast (CMCSA, CMCSK) can be made, suggested one of the sources. Reference Link

Charter may have interest in Cablevision 'at some point,' says DetwilerDetwiler Fenton believes there is truth to last week's reports of Charter (CHTR) being in talks to acquire Bright House Networks. In addition, the firm says its checks indicate Charter may have interest in buying Suddenlink Communications and Cablevision (CVC) "at some point" as a part of a lager acquisition strategy. Detwiler adds Charter's potential deal strategy assumes Comcast's (CMCSA) bid for Time Warner (TWC) wins regulatory approval. Should the deal not get approved, Detwiler believes Charter will turn its attention back to Time Warner.